Pagosa to Creede Weekend

Cortez Cultural Center

Pagosa to Creede: A Celebration of Cultural Center Values

Pagosa to Creede Weekend – June 8 – 10, 2017

Ready to explore your own “backyard”? Want a fun mixture of activities from archaeology to live theater over a long weekend?
Then consider this three-day adventure encompassing a little bit of everything and only a few hours drive from home!

Day 1: Thursday, June 8
We’ll depart Cortez in our own cars for a guided tour of Chimney Rock National Monument, located between Durango and Pagosa Springs. Managed by the San Juan National Forest, Chimney Rock is one of Southwest Colorado’s newest national monuments. Its 12th century Chacoan great house and great kiva are located in a spectacular top-of-the-world setting. Chimney Rock is renown for its archaeo-astronomical features that interact with the once-every-28-years lunar standstill. Touring the site involves driving 2 1/2 miles up a steep, winding gravel road to the upper parking lot (7,400 feet elevation), and a short hike. After enjoying a picnic lunch together, we’ll head to Pagosa Springs only a short drive away, where we’ll have time to soak in the hot springs and check into our hotel before dining together at the top rated Alley House Grille, located in a charmingly restored 1912 cottage.

Day 2: Friday June 9
Grab another soak in the hot springs if you like, then take your time crossing Wolf Creek Pass by stopping at Treasure Falls or opting to hike on your own. Make Creede your destination for the day, leaving time for lunch on your own, and wandering around this lovely old mining town full of fun shops and Victorian architecture. We’ll check in to our motel, then gather for dinner before the live performance of She Loves Me at the Creede Repertory Theater (CRT).

Established in 1966, the CRT is a professional theater company that produces seven to ten productions during the summer season. The Denver Post rates CRT as one of the top five theater troupes in Colorado.

From the creators of Fiddler on the Roof comes She Loves Me, a classic romantic comedy that tells the story of George and Amalia, feuding co-workers in a 1930’s perfume shop. They find solace in writing their anonymous romantic pen-pals, who just happen to be each other. She Loves Me is based on a play by Miklos Laszlo, which inspired the blockbuster hit, You’ve Got Mail. This is a heartfelt, nostalgic masterpiece sure to be enjoyed by all.

Day 3: Saturday, June 10
After a Saturday morning breakfast on your own, we will tour the Creede Mining Museum for our final group activity. A museum guide will accompany us through the underground mining museum, showing us first-hand the impacts of Colorado’s mining history.

Participants may choose to make their own arrangements to stay longer in Creede and perhaps attend additional theater performances, hike or fish as desired. Return to Cortez on your own.